Matt Henry has always been an outstanding new-ball bowler, but now he has mastered the death overs as well. With Trent Boult and Tim Southee absent from New Zealand’s Champions Trophy squad, Henry has stepped up as the leader of the attack. He is currently the highest wicket-taker in the tournament, with 10 wickets in four innings at an impressive economy rate of 5.32.
- Matt Henry leads the Champions Trophy wicket chart.
- He excels with both the new ball and the old ball.
- His death-over economy rate has significantly improved.
- Shane Bond considers him one of New Zealand’s best ODI bowlers.
From a New-Ball Specialist to a Complete Bowler
Henry has always been known for his swing and seam movement, but he has now evolved into a complete fast bowler. Since 2023, he has taken 25 wickets in the last 10 overs of ODIs, the joint-highest alongside Shaheen Shah Afridi. His economy rate of 6.79 and bowling average of 12.36 in this phase showcase his transformation.
His past performances in the death overs were not as effective, with an economy rate of 8.56 between 2014 and 2022. But with improved skills like slower balls and cross-seamers, Henry has turned into an all-phase bowler.
Dominating Across All Formats
Since 2023, Henry has been the leading wicket-taker in international cricket, with 136 wickets in 66 innings. This puts him ahead of top bowlers like Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Shaheen Afridi, and Mitchell Starc. His rise has attracted interest from T20 leagues like the IPL, the Hundred, and MLC, proving his growing reputation.
How Henry Improved His Death Bowling
Henry’s turning point came in the 2023 T20 Blast, where he developed skills to control the game in the final overs. His off-cutters and slower balls became key weapons, helping him take 31 wickets in 14 matches at an economy rate of 7.85.
A great example of his skill was seen in the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he dismissed Mushfiqur Rahim with a slower ball that skidded under the bat. In the Champions Trophy, he used a slower bouncer to dismiss Hardik Pandya, showing his ability to outthink batters.
Expert Opinions on Matt Henry
Former New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond is highly impressed with Henry’s versatility. He believes Henry is among New Zealand’s greatest ODI bowlers, stating:
“He has developed his game to become an all-phase bowler. His slower bouncer, field variations, and ability to bowl at the back end have made him more well-rounded.”
Henry’s Role in New Zealand’s Champions Trophy Campaign
With injuries to Lockie Ferguson and Ben Sears, Henry has taken on the leadership role in the New Zealand pace attack. He has supported younger bowlers like Will O’Rourke, Nathan Smith, and Jacob Duffy, offering guidance and encouragement.
Henry’s Determination and Fighting Spirit
Henry’s resilience was on full display in the Champions Trophy semi-final against South Africa. After landing awkwardly while catching Heinrich Klaasen, he bounced back to bowl two crucial death overs without conceding a boundary. He also dismissed Kagiso Rabada with a well-placed off-cutter, helping New Zealand secure their place in the final.
Can India Stop Henry?
Henry has troubled India in the past, most notably in the 2019 ODI World Cup semi-final and the Bengaluru Test in 2024. His ability to swing the new ball and use the wobble seam makes him a tough opponent. He recently dismissed Shubman Gill in Dubai with an inducker, proving his effectiveness once again.
Matt Henry has gone from being a new-ball specialist to a complete fast bowler. His success across formats, ability to bowl in all phases, and leadership in the New Zealand bowling attack make him one of the most valuable pacers in world cricket today. As he prepares for the Champions Trophy final, Henry has already proven that he is a bowler to watch out for.
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